Washing Hair

Shampoo

The most important tool for washing hair is the proper shampoo. There are many different types available, and before choosing a particular brand, you should consider the following characteristics of your hair:

• Is your hair dry, normal, or oily?
• Do you color or highlight your hair?
• Is your hair permed, straightened, or otherwise harshly treated?
• Is your hair curly or prone to tangles?
• Do you have a sensitive scalp or skin conditions?

There are different types of shampoos available for these and many other special conditions, from designer products to generic cleansers. From basic shampoos to moisturizing, revitalizing blends specially formulated for a particular hair color or condition, you can clean your hair best when using the proper shampoo. If you are not sure whether you need to consider a specialty product or not, visit a salon for a professional consultation.

How Much Do I Use?

The amount of shampoo you should use when washing hair depends on the length of the hair and quality of shampoo. Very short hair will only need a small amount – perhaps a puddle in your palm the size of a quarter – while long hair may need twice that amount, or more. If you use a basic, generic shampoo, you may need to use slightly more for thoroughly clean hair.

Other Hair Products

Before washing your hair, consider other hair products you may need, such as conditioner or treatments for damaged hair. Many of these products should be used immediately after shampooing your hair for the best effect. Depending on the type of treatment, you may rinse it out or leave it in your clean hair.

The Steps of Properly Washing Hair

Lather, rinse, and repeat: these are the basic cleaning steps that everyone knows. But for the cleanest hair with the least damage and using the least amount of shampoo, there are a few extra precautions to take.

Washing hair in a salon.

• First, thoroughly brush your hair. This removes dust, debris, and tangles, letting the shampoo access your hair more directly.
• Wet your hair thoroughly, letting the water wash away even more dust and dirt. Be sure to wet bangs, sideburns, and other hard-to-reach places.
• Apply shampoo to the crown of your head (directly or from your hand), massaging gently to form a lather. Work toward the edges of your head, bringing in long strands to work into the suds.
• Once thoroughly lathered, rinse your hair carefully to avoid getting soap in your eyes. Be sure to rinse all your hair – leftover soap attracts dirt very quickly.

Drying Your Hair

After hair washing, the obvious next step is drying. As with washing, however, your hair should be treated properly to avoid unnecessary damage.

• Squeeze excess water out of your hair without wringing it – wet hair is more delicate and prone to breakage than when dry.
• Use a towel to squeeze or blot your hair to remove additional water – do not rub or scrub your head.
• Allow hair to air dry naturally as long as possible for a healthy, natural look.
• Use hair dryers carefully to avoid damage, excessive frizz, or other undesirable looks.
• Try to brush and style hair only minimally when wet to prevent inadvertent damage.

Is Repeating Necessary?

In most cases, repeating the process to wash your hair a second time is not necessary. If, however, your hair is heavily soiled (perhaps from sweat, chlorine, dust, etc.), repeat the hair washing process to insure squeaky clean strands. An alternative if your hair is moderately soiled is to let the lathered shampoo sit for several minutes before rinsing – this allows the soap to bond more thoroughly with dirt and dust for more efficient removal.

How Often is Washing Hair Necessary?

How often you clean your hair depends on a number of factors, including how much oil it produces, the activities you engage in (sweating, etc.), the humidity where you live, and just what feels right to you. Excessive washing can strip hair of its natural, protective oils and cause excess frizz and damage, while not washing enough causes greasy, unattractive locks and flat, dull styles. Most people wash their hair several times a week, perhaps as often as once per day or even more depending on their activities. If you are unsure how often to wash your hair, consult a stylist for their professional evaluation of your hair care needs.

Though washing hair may seem simple, the appropriate steps need to be taken to insure that your hair is not only clean, but is also healthy, manageable, and stylish. With proper washing and other care, your locks can be fresh and beautiful every day of the week.